Limb supporting attachment for operating tables



Feb. 13, 1962 R. L. STEVENS LIME SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOR OPERATINGTABLES Filed June 18, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet l 63 47 49 42 64 53 35 u 45 5/n 45 35 T 33 44 36 42 36 j 40 44- 40 33 I I A :il I /6 I 5-; ,I 26 /4 I29 INVENTOR Richard L. Stevens BY KWZm/ H/L.

ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 R. L. STEVENS 3,020,909

LIMB SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING TABLES Filed June 18, 1958 '7Sheets-Sheet 2 29 5 ZNVENTOR Richard L. Stevens ATT RNEY Feb. 13, 1962R. STEVENS A 3,020,909

LIMB SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING TABLES Filed June 18, 1958 7Sheets-Sheet 5 Fl 4 F167 45 36 45 INVENTOR Richard L. Stevens 66 54 BY Q65 ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 R. STEVENS LIMB SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOROPERATING TABLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 18, 1958 IN VENTOR RichardL. Sieve/7s 5W am r-( ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 R. L. STEVENS LIMBSUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING TABLES Filed June 18, 1958 7Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Richard L. Sievens ATTORNEY LIMB SUPPORTINGATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING TABLES Filed June 18, 1958 Feb. 13, 1962 R.STEVENS '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 16

1 N VE NTOR Richard L. Sieve/2s ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 R. STEVENS LIMBSUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING TABLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORRichard L. Stevens ATTORNEY Filed June 18, 1958 United States PatentOfiice 3,020,909 Patented Feb. 13, 1962 3,020,909 LIMB SUPPORTINGATTACHMENT FOR OPERATING TABLES Richard L. Stevens, Broken Arrow, kla.,assignor to Rollin W. Hudson, Tulsa, Okla. Filed June 18, 1958, Ser. No.742,934 10 Claims. (Cl. 128-70) The present invention relates to limbsupporting devices for operating tables and the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide a complete andself-contained limb supporting attachment for standard operating tables,the use of which attachment permits the standard operating table to beused for various operations, which heretofore could only have beenperformed on a special fracture table.

A further object of the invention is to provide limb supporting means ofthe above-mentioned character which dispenses entirely with the need formanually supporting the limbs of a patient during orthopedic operations,the setting of fractures and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide limb supporting means ofthe above-mentioned character which are highly adjustable and versatilein use, whereby the limbs of the patient may be supported with stabilityin a variety of positions during operations, to the mutual advantage ofthe patient and doctor.

A further object is to provide a limb supporting attachment which isreadily adjustable to fit operating tables of diiferent sizes, andrequiring no structural alterations whatsoever of the operating tablefor installation and use of the attachment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a limb supportingattachment of the above-mentioned character which may be readilyinstalled and operated by unskilled personnel, in order to position thelimbs of the patient in a variety of positions necessary to meet theneeds of the surgeon or doctor.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of theabove-mentioned character which is extremely sturdy in construction,reliable in operation, readily collapsible for storage and shipment, andrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be come apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a limb supporting device inaccordance with the invention and showing the same mounted upon anoperating table.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in FIGURE 1 with partsbroken away.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal cross section taken on line 33 of FIGURE 2,partly in section.

FIGURE 4 is a central vertical longitudinal section through a limbsupporting plate and associated elements.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of a traction attachmentforming a part of the invention, partly in section.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5, parts inelevation.

FIGURE 7 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 77 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a yoke forming a part ofthe traction attachment.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the limb supporting device in oneadjusted position and illustrating uses of the same.

FIGURES 10 and 11 are further perspective views of the device showingdifferent adjustments and uses of the same.

FIGURE 12 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of limb supportingplate constituting a part of the invention.

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation of the same.

FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of a hinge part employed with the plateshown in FIGURES 12 and 13.

FIGURE 15 is a plan view of a body stabilizing device employed incertain instances with the device of the invention.

FIGURE 16 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 16-16 ofFIGURE 15.

FIGURE 17 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 17-17 of FIGURE15.

FIGURE 18 is a further perspective view of the limb supporting deviceshown in use for supporting a patients limb in a bent or flexedposition.

FIGURE 19 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 1919 of FIGURE 18.

FIGURE 20 is a fragmentary side elevation of the traction attachment inreversed position.

FIGURE 21 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 2121 of FIGURE 11.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 10 designatesgenerally an adjustable clamp for rigidly adjustably securing the limbsupport-v ing device to the top 11 of an operating table or the like.The clamp 10 comprises a companion pair of generally L-shaped clampparts 12 and 13, adapted to rest upon the table top 11, transverselythereof, and to have their outer depending portions 14 grip the opposite1ongitudinal edges of the table top, as shown in the drawings. The clamppart 13 is provided at its inner end with a reduced extension or tongue15, engaging within a recess 16 formed in the inner end and bottom ofthe clamp part 12.

Near their inner ends, the clamp parts 12 and 13 carry upstanding lugs17, rigidly secured thereto. The lug 17 of the clamp part 12 is providedwith a horizontal screwthreaded opening for the reception of ahorizontal adjusting or clamp screw 18, which screw is freely rotatablyreceived with in an unthreaded opening formed through the lug 17 of theclamp part 13. The screw 18 is provided at one end with an enlarged head19 integral therewith and engaging the outer side of the lug 17 of clamppart 13 for preventing the screw 18 from shifting longitudinally in onedirection relative to the adjacent lug 17. A turning handle 20 for theadjusting screw 18 is pivoted thereto at 21 to facilitate turning thescrew 18 in order to bring the clamp 10 into gripping engagement withthe top 11 of the operating table. The construction of the clamp 10 issuch that it is adjustable a substantial amount so that the clamp may beapplied to various sizes or widths of operating tables.

Each clamp part 12 and 13 is provided at itsouter end with an integralhorizontal outwardly projecting trunnion 21. A companion pair ofseparate L-shaped adjustable limb supporting units 22 and 23 is bodilycarried by the trunnions 21 of the clamp 10 as shown in FIGURE 1.

Each of the units 22 and 23 embodies a longitudinally adjustable andvertically swingable elongated rigid bar 2d, frictionally held within afirst split sleeve 25 of a T-shaped coupling 26, which coupling includesa second inwardly projecting horizontal split sleeve 27, integraltherewith and extending at right angles to the first sleeve 25. Thesplit sleeve 27 of each T-shaped coupling 26 receives therein one of thehorizontal trunnions 21 0f the clamp 10, and the split sleeve 27 isadjustably frictionally clamped to the trunnion 21 by a conventionalscrewthreaded clamping device 28, as shown in the drawings.,

Similarly, each split sleeve is frictionally clamped to the elongatedbar 24 by a similar adjustable screwthreaded clamping device 29, asshown. By this means, each unit 22 and 23 may be bodily turned oradjusted in a vertical plane about the horizontal axis of the associatedtrunnions 21, and tightly clamped in the selected adjusted position bythe clamping device 28. Likewise, each bar 24 may be readily adjustedlongitudinally through the split sleeve 25 for a desired amount and thentightly clamped in the selected adjusted position by the clamping device29.

A T-shaped coupling substantially identical to the coupling 26 ismounted upon the upper end of the bar 24 of each unit 22 and 23. Eachcoupling 30 comprises a first split sleeve 31 receiving the upper end ofthe bar 24, and frictionally clamped thereto by a screw-threadedclamping device 32. Each coupling 30 further comprises a second splitsleeve 33 integral therewith, and extending at right angles to thesleeve 31, and receiving therein a relatively short inwardly extendinghorizontal rigid bar 34. The bar 34 is adjustably clamped within thesplit sleeve 33 by another screw-threaded clamping device 35, identicalwith the screw-threaded clamping devices previously described. By thismeans, each bar 34 may be readily adjusted longitudinally inwardly oroutwardly within the split sleeve 33 and also turned upon itslongitudinal axis for a full 360 degrees. The bar 34 may be locked inthe selected adjusted position by the tightening of the screw-threadedclamping device 35.

Each limb supporting unit 22 and 23 may further comprise a somewhatelongated generally rectangular transversely concave limb supportingplate 36, adjustably mounted upon the horizontal transverse bar 34. Eachlimb supporting plate 36 is provided upon its bottom and at itslongitudinal and transverse centers with an integral depending boss 37,having a screw'threaded opening 38. A spacer element 41' having anunthreaded opening is arranged beneath the boss 37, FIGURE 4. A splitsleeve 39 is adjustably mounted upon the bar 34 below the plate 36, andhas a pair of integral apertured lugs 40, receiving therethrough aclamping adjusting screw 41, which has screw-threaded engagement withinthe screw-threaded opening 38. By this means, each plate 36 may bereadily adjusted longitudinally and circumferentially of its supportingbar 34 and clamped in the selected adjusted position by the tighteningof the screw 41. Additionally, each plate 36 may be turned any desiredamount about the axis of the screw 41 prior to tightening of the screw.

Each limb supporting plate 36 is further provided upon its lower sideand near one end thereof and at its transverse center with an integrallongitudinal tubular boss 42, for a purpose to be described, and havinga lateral screwthreaded opening 43 receiving a clamping set screw 44'.Each plate 36 is further provided near its corners with slots 45 forflexible straps, not shown, employed when desired to secure the limb ofthe patient firmly to the plate 36. The limb supporting plates 36 of theunits 22 and 23 may be used alone on either or both units 22 and 23, orthey may be employed in conjunction with other attachments on either orboth units 22 and 23, as will presently be described.

As shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 9, the limb supporting plate 36 of theadjustable unit 23 is shown carrying a traction attachment 46. Thistraction attachment is employed when it is desired to place thesupported limb of the patient in traction as while setting a fracture ofthe leg, or the like. The traction attachment 46 comprises an elongatedshaft 47 which is square in cross section throughout a major portion ofits length, but including one end portion 48 which is circular in crosssection, for engagement within the cylindrical bore 49 of the boss 42 onlimb supporting plate 36. The traction attachment 46 is bodily mountedupon the plate 36 through the medium of shaft 47, and the set screw 44is utilized for rigidly and detachably securing the traction attachmentto the plate 36, as shown. The traction attachment 46 further comprisesan upstanding bracket 50, extending at right angles to and above theshaft 47, and including at its lower end a split extension 51, having asquare opening 52 formed therethrough and receiving the square shaft 47.A screw-threaded clamping device 53 is provided for releasably clampingthe split extension 51 of bracket 50 to the square shaft 47, and by thisarrangement, the bracket 50 may be locked in the selected adjustedposition upon the shaft 47, after adjustment of the bracket andassociated elements lengthwise of the shaft 47 by means to be described.

The traction attachment 46 further embodies a foot supporting plate 54,extending at right angles to and above the shaft 47 and including a heelrest 55 integral therewith. The foot supporting plate 54 is mounted uponand bodily supported by a shaft 56, and detachably fixedly securedthereto by a set screw 57 or the like. The shaft 56 is adjustablyreceived within a bore 58, formed through an upper enlarged head 59 ofthe bracket 50, which head is provided with an adjustable set screw 60,engageable with the shaft 56 for releasably locking the same in aselected adjusted position relative to the bracket 50. The shaft 56 isparallel to the shaft 47 and spaced above the same, and the shaft 56 isscrew-threaded throughout a major portion of its length as shown at 61,:for the reception of an adjusting nut 62 arranged upon the side of thebracket 50 remote from the foot supporting plate 54. The shaft 56 may beturned upon its longitudinal axis within the bore 58 and then locked inthe selected adjusted position by the set screw 60, for imparting thedesired angle to the foot supporting plate 54. The shaft 56 and footsupporting plate 54 are movable lengthwise of the bore 58, prior totightening the set screw 60 by manipulation of the adjusting nut 62.

The traction attachment 46 further comprises an elongated yoke 63,including spaced parallel sides 64, arranged upon opposite sides of theshaft 47 and receiving between them the lower portion of the bracket 50adjacent to the shaft 47, FIGURES 6 and 7. At their forward ends, theyoke sides 64 carry inwardly directed spaced transverse extensions 65,integral therewith, and extending adjacent to the forward side of thebracket 50, and notched at 66 for slidably receiving the square shaft47, as best shown in FIGURES 6 and 8. The opposite end of the yoke 63carries an integral screw-threaded nut 67, receiving a long adjusting ortraction screw 68, provided at its forward end with a ball bearing 69,engaging within a spherical recess 70' in the adjacent end of the shaft47.

The shaft 47 is immovable relative to the limb supporting plate 36, oncethe set screw 44 is tightened. Prior to tightening of the screw-threadedclamping device 53, the bracket 50 and associated elements are movablewith the yoke 63, lengthwise of the shaft 47. In order to shift thebracket 50 and foot supporting plate 54 away from the limb supportingplate 36 for placing the limb in traction, it is merely necessary totighten the traction screw 68. When this is done, the yoke 63 movesoutwardly upon the screw 68 and is prevented from turning by its guidedengagement with the square shaft 47. Movement of the yoke 63 away fromthe limb supporting plate 36 also causes the bracket 50 and associatedelements to move outwardly upon the shaft 47 and away from the limbsupporting plate 36, for placing the limb in traction. The clampingdevice 53 may be tightened to clamp or lock the bracket 50 in theselected adjusted position, longitudinally of the shaft 47.

In conjunction with the traction attachment 46, I prefer to employ abody bracing unit 69, shown particularly in FIGURES 9 and l5-l7. Thebracing unit 69 steadies' the body of the patient lying on the operatingtable, and resists movement of the body longitudinally when a limb orlimbs are placed in traction by the use of the attachment 46. Thebracing unit 69 comprises a horizontal V- shaped frame includingdiverging arms 70 of equal length. As shown in FIGURE 15, the rigidlyconnected arms 70 span one longitudinal edge of the mounting clamp andhave their normally free ends detachably connected therewith nearopposite ends of the clamp 10. As shown in FIGURE 17, adjacentlongitudinal edge portions of the clamp parts 12 and 13 are undercut andbeveled at 71. The rigid frame arms 70 are provided at their free endswith heads 72, parallel to the adjacent longitudinal edge of the clamp10, and carrying lower beveled extensions 73 which underlie the bevelededges 71 of the clamp parts 12 and 13. The heads 72 proper overlie theadjacent edge portions of the clamp parts 12 and 13, and are releasablysecured thereto by means of set screws 74, received withinscrew-threaded openings 75 of the heads 72, FIGURE 17. The clamp parts12 and 13 are preferably provided upon their upper faces and beneath theheads 72 with shallow longitudinal recesses 76 which receive the lowerends of the set screws 74. When the set screws 74 are tightened, thearms 70 of the V-shaped frame become rigidly secured to the mountingclamp 10, as shown in the drawings.

The bracing unit 69 further comprises an elongated slotted link 77,arranged horizontally and extending longitudinally of the operatingtable toward the body of the patient. One end of the link 77 overliesthe connected ends of the arm 70 and is adjustably secured thereto by aconventional screw-threaded clamping device 78. The link 77 is readilyadjustable lengthwise of the operating table and swingable horizontallyfrom side-to-side upon its pivot afforded by the clamping device 78. Theclamping device 78, FIGURE 16, engages through the longitudinal slot 79of the adjustable link 77, as shown.

At its end remote from the mounting clamp 10, the link 77 has anapertured head 80, receiving an upstanding vertical brace bar 81,preferably removably mounted therein. As shown in FIGURE 9, the bracebar 81 is adapted to engage the crotch of the patient on the operatingtable to resist movement of the body toward the mounting clamp 10, whena limb or limbs of the patient are placed in traction with theattachment 46. The body bracing unit 69 lies substantially flush uponthe top of the operating table and causes no obstruction of the othermoving parts of the invention, and no interference with the actions ofthe doctor or his attendants. The entire unit 69 is readily detachablefrom the clamp 10 by merely loosening the set screws 74, which releasesthe arms 70 from the clamp 10. The unit 69 need only be used in theinvention when the limbs of the patient are placed in traction, or atany time when it is desired to brace the body of the patient againstlongitudinal movement toward the clamp 10.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 10 through 14, which show theconstruction and use of a further limb supporting attachment, used inconjunction with the basic limb supporting plate 36 previouslydescribed.

In connection with these figures, the numeral 82 designates an auxiliaryadjustable limb supporting plate, generally similar to the plate 36 andbeing somewhat elongated and transversely concave to fit the limb of thepatient supported thereon. One end of the plate 82 is downwardly curvedor rounded at 83, for a purpose to become apparent, and the plate 82 isprovided upon its lower side and at its transverse center and beneaththe rounded end portion 83 with a depending longitudinal boss or knuckle84, apertured at 85. A hinge element 86 is provided, having spacedapertured knuckles 87, adapted to receive the hinge knuckle 84 of plate82 between them. The hinge element 86 has a pin extension 88 rigidtherewith for engagement within the bore 49 of the tubular boss 42 onlimb supporting plate 36. The pin extension 88 is rigidly secured withinthe tubular boss 42 by the tightening of the set screw 44. The auxiliarylimb supporting plate 82 is adjustably pivotally secured to the hingeelement 86 by a suitable pivot bolt 89, having a conventionalscrew-threaded clamping nut 90 associated therewith for releasablysecuring the plate 82 in the selected angularly adjusted positionrelative to the hinge element 86 and the supporting plate 36 carryingthe plate 82 and associated elements. The plate 82 is preferablyprovided near one pair of corners with slots 91 for a strap, not shown,which may be employed to truss the supported limb to the plate 82. Theplate 82 is also preferably provided upon its underside and near its endremote from the knuckle 84 with a longitudinal tubular boss 92 for apurpose to be described. The auxiliary supporting plate 82 is readilyadjustable angularly with respect to the supporting plate 36 between theextremes shown in FIGURES 11 and 18. The plate 82 may be releasablylocked in the selected adjusted positions by means of the screw-threadedclamping device 90. The plate 82 is readily detachable from the plate 36by merely loosening the set screw 44.

Substantially all of the component parts of my limb supportingattachment for operating tables have now been described in detail, and Inow wish to summarize and explain some of the important uses of thedevice and the positions in which the limbs of the patient may besupported.

With reference to FIGURE 9, both legs of a patient are being supportedat desired angles and elevations above the top 11 of the operatingtable. The leg A of the patient is shown resting upon the basicsupporting plate 36 of the adjustable unit 22. The bar 24 of unit 22 isarranged in a relatively low position, and the bar 24 is also at aslight angle to the vertical, and the horizontal bar 34 is relativelyclose to the top of the operating table. The leg B of the patient issupported by the adjustable unit 23, the bar 24 of which is shownadjusted to a relatively high elevation. The leg B is resting upon thesupporting plate 36 of the unit 23, and the leg B is illustrated asbeing under traction imparted by the attachment 46.

If desired, both legs A and B may be trussed to the supporting plates 36by straps, not shown, passed through the slots 45 and around the legs Aand B. Likewise, the foot C may be strapped or tied to the footsupporting plate 54 by straps not shown, or the foot C may be providedwith a special boot of well known construction and readily available onthe market and having means to attach the boot to the foot supportingplate 54.

When it is necessary to apply slight traction only to the leg B, suchtraction may be applied solely by manipulation of the nut 62 and thelocking set screw 60. Where long traction is necessary, the nut 62 andassociated parts are not utilized, and traction is applied through theuse of the adjusting screw 68 and the locking or screw-threaded clampingmeans 53.

It should be understood in connection with FIGURE 9, that the tractionattachment 46 may be employed if necessary in connection with both legsA and B, or with either leg. Likewise, the basic supporting plates 36may be used alone or without the traction attachment 46 or the auxiliarysupporting plate 82. Also, as indicated in FIG- URE 1, in some instancesit may be desirable to employ only one of the adjustable supportingunits 22 or 23, in which case the other limb supporting unit may remainidle or may be placed in a lowered position or even removed entirelyfrom its supporting coupling 26.

With reference to FIGURE 10, the adjustable units 22 and 23 with thebasic limb supporting plates 36 are shown in use for supporting botharms D and E of the patient in substantially horizontal extendedpositions outwardly of the sides of the operating table. The bars 24 areswung downwardly to substantially horizontal positions, and the bars 34are adjusted longitudinally to extend transversely outwardly of the bars24. The supporting plates 36 are turned to extend substantially parallelto the transverse bars 34 and the parts are all locked in the selectedadjusted positions by the previously described screwthreaded clampingdevices. The arms D and E may be strapped to the supporting plates 36 ifdesired, as previously explained.

In FIGURE 11, one use of the auxiliary supporting plate 82 isillustrated for supporting one arm of the patient at an elevationsomewhat above the operating table and transversely thereof. Theadjustable unit 22 in FIGURE 11 is swung downwardly from the vertical toan intermediate position somewhere between the positions shown inFIGURES l and 10. The transverse bar 34 extends inwardly and above theoperating table and the basic supporting plate 36 is adjusted to extendlongitudinally of the bar 34. The auxiliary supporting plate 32 isadjusted to extend substantially longitudinally of the plate 36 or at aslight angle thereto, and the plate 82 is locked in the selectedadjusted position by the screw-threaded clamping device 90.

In FIGURE 18, a further use of the main and auxiliary limb supportingplates 36 and 82 is illustrated, for supporting the leg A of the patientin an elevated and bent position, as is necessary, for example, when acartilage operation is being performed upon the knee. In FIG- URE 18,the auxiliary supporting plate 82 is arranged at substantially rightangles to the main supporting plate 36, and locked in the selectedadjusted position by means of the screw-threaded clamping device 90. Themain supporting plate 36 in FIGURE 18 is arranged beneath the thigh ofthe leg A, at a steep angle to the horizontal, and. this position of thesupporting plate 36 may be obtained by the use of the adjusting andclamping screw 41.

FIGURE 18 also illustrates one possible use of an additional mainsupporting plate 36, below the ankle portion of the leg A, inconjunction with the auxiliary supporting plate 82. In a case where theleg A might be fractured at several places below the knee, it may bedesirable to support the leg throughout a greater portion of its lengththan would be possible with the auxiliary supporting plate 82 alone, orin conjunction with the single main supporting plate 36 beneath thethigh of the leg in FIGURE 18. As shown in FIGURE 19, a connecting pin93 has one end engaging within the tubular boss 92 of the auxiliarysupporting plate 82, and its other end is engaged within the tubularboss 42 of the main supporting plate 36 below the ankle portion of theleg A in FIGURE 18. The pin 93 is rigidly and adjustably secured withinthe tubular boss 42 by the set screw 44 previously described inconnection with FIGURE 4. The pin 93 is likewise rigidly and adjustablysecured within the tubular boss 92 by a similar set screw 94 providedupon the boss 92, as shown. With this arrangement, FIGURE 18, theadditional supporting plate 36 beneath the ankle of the leg A extendslongitudinally of the auxiliary supporting plate 82 and forms in effecta rigid continuation thereof. The supporting plate 36 in FIGURE 18beneath the ankle of the leg A is reversed end-for-end from'thepositions of the supporting plate 36 previously described in connectionwith FIGURE 9 and other views of the drawings.

The additional supporting plate 36 beneath the ankle of the leg A inFIGURE 18 may be omitted entirely, in cases where it is unnecessary orundesirable to support the ankle portion of the leg, in which case theknee will still be supported in the same manner shown in FIGURE 18during a cartilage operation or the like. Additionally, the extrasupporting plate 36 shown in FIGURE 18 may be used in conjunction withanother and identical supporting plate 36, such as the one shownsupporting the leg A in FIGURE 9, or wherever it is necessary to supporta longer portion of the patients limb than one supporting plate alonewould be capable of supporting. As a further example, the additionalsupporting plate 36 beneath the ankle in FIGURE 18 could be usedoutwardly of and in conjunction with the supporting plate 36 beneath thearm E in FIGURE 10, if desired.

FIGURE 18 also illustrates again the use of the body bracing attachmentor unit 69, as would be necessary when the left leg B in FIGURE 18 isheld in traction.

In FIGURE of the drawings, there is illustrated a further use of thetraction attachment 46 previously described. In some cases, it may bedesirable not to support the calf of the leg rearwardly of the footsupporting plate 54 when the leg is in traction. As shown in FIG- URE20, the main limb supporting plate 36 is reversed or turned end-for-endfrom its position shown in FIGURE 2 and the plate 36 is locked in theselected adjusted position by means of the clamping screw 41. The shaft47 of the traction attachment is also reversed with the supporting plate36 in FIGURE 20, and the bracket 50 has been disengaged from the shaft47 with the foot supporting plate 54- and associated elements andreversed degrees from its position shown in FIGURE 2. This arrangementpresents the foot supporting plate 54 properly for sup portingengagement with the foot of the patient, while the supporting plate 36extends forwardly of the foot supporting plate, in an out of the wayposition.

In the use of the traction attachment shown in FIGURE 20, the foot ofthe patient is either strapped to the supporting plate 54 or securedthereto With a special boot, not shown, and short traction is applied tothe limb in the same manner previously described in connection withFIGURE 2 by manipulating the nut 62. The long traction yoke 63 and thetraction screw 68 shown in FIGURE 2 are not used in connection with theattachment of FIG- URE 20, and Where long traction is required, it is obtained by merely swinging the bar 24 of the Lshaped unit 23 verticallyabout the axis of the trunnion 21 for a desired amount.

In view of the foregoing description, taken in connection with theseveral views of the drawings, it should now be apparent to anyoneskilled in the art that I have provided a highly versatile limbsupporting attachment for standard operating tables, which enables theoperating table to serve all of the major purposes of a more complicatedfracture table, such as is not readily available in all hospitals orclinics. I have illustrated in the drawings and described a number ofuses of my attachment for supporting the limbs of a patient in variouspositions for surgery, preparation of the limbs for surgery, settingfractures, applying traction to the limbs, administering an anesthetic,or the like. It is impractical and virtually impossible in the drawingsto illustrate all possible adjusted positions of the various componentparts of the attachment, but from what has been shown and described, itis believed that anyone skilled in the art will be able to fullyunderstand all of the uses which my attachment is adapted to serve inthe hospital.

My limb supporting attachment for operating tables is self-contained,and all parts are bodily mounted upon the main mounting clamp 10 whichgrips the top 11 of the operating table. No alteration whatsoever of theoperating table structure is required when the attachment is installedthereon. No parts of the attachment project underneath the patientsbody, or otherwise interfere with his comfort or normal position uponthe operating table, and the weight of the patients body is not reliedupon to hold or steady the attachment upon the table, as he clamp 10 isentirely adequate for this purpose. The entire attachment is readilyremovable from the operating table and separable and collapsible to ahighly compact condition for shipment and storage. All of the majorcomponent parts including the bars 24 and 34 and their associatedcouplings 26 and 30 are readily separable, if desired.

By the use of the attachment as described herein, it should be apparentthat the device eliminates entirely the need for manual labor on thepart of a nurse or attendant for supporting the injured limbs of thepatient in various positions during surgery, the setting of fractures,preparation of the limbs for surgery and the like, which manual labor asconventionally employed is very tiring for the attendant, and does notalways result in the satisfactory positioning of the limbs for thesurgeon or doctor. The attachment is extremely sturdy in construction,and capa- 9 ble of holding the limbs of the patient in exactly therequired positions specified by the surgeon or doctor.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A limb supporting attachment comprising a longitudinally extensibleclamp adapted to span a table-like support transversely and includingparts to grip the opposite longitudinal edges of the support, trunnionscarried by the ends of said clamp and projecting outwardly thereofhorizontally, coupling members swiveled to said trunnions and adjustablyclampingly secured thereto and having sleeve portions extendingsubstantially at right angles to the trunnions, a first pair ofelongated bars adjustably clampingly secured within said sleeve portionsof the coupling members and movable lengthwise of the sleeve portions,said bars independently swingable in vertical planes with the couplingmembers upon the axes of said trunnions, second coupling membersswiveled to the ends of said bars remote from the trunnions andadjustably clampingly secured thereto and having sleeve portionsextending substantially at right angles to said bars and substantiallyparallel to the axes of said trunnions, a second pair of elongated barsshorter than the bars of the first-named pair adjustably clampinglysecured within the sleeve portions of the second coupling members andshiftable lengthwise therein and extending at substantially right anglesto the bars of the first-named pair and bodily movable with the bars ofthe first-named pair when the latter are swung vertically, and limbsupporting means adjustably clampingly secured to the bars of thesecondnamed pair and adapted to be secured in selected adjustedpositions thereon.

2. A limb supporting attachment comprising a clamp adapted to engage thetop of a table-like support for detachably securing the attachmentthereto in a selected position, a trunnion secured to one end of theclamp and projecting horizontally beyond one end of the clamp, a firstT-shaped coupling member swiveled to the trunnion and adjustablyclampingly secured thereto and having a sleeve portion extendingsubstantially at right angles to the trunnion, an elongated baradjustably clampingly secured within the sleeve portion and movablelengthwise of the sleeve portion and adapted to be clamped in selectedlongitudinally adjusted positions, said bar swingable in a verticalplane with said coupling upon the axis of said trunnion for a full 360degrees of rotation, a second T-shaped coupling member clampinglysecured to the end of the elongated bar remote from said clamp andincluding a sleeve portion transversely of the elongated bar, arelatively short bar adjustably clampingly secured within said sleeveportion of the second coupling member and shiftable lengthwise thereinand adapted to be clamped in selected adjusted positions and extendingsubstantially at right angles to the elongated bar, and a limbsupporting plate adjustably clampingly secured to the relatively shortbar and movable lengthwise thereof and being rotatable about thelongitudinal axis of the relatively short bar and turnable with respectto such bar to extend either transversely thereof or longitudinally ofthe relativley short bar and adapted to be clamped in the selectedadjusted position.

3. A limb supporting attachment comprising a clamp to span the top of atable-like support transversely thereof and being adjustable and adaptedto grip the longitudinal edges of said support, horizontal trunnionscarried by the opposite ends of said clamp and projecting outwardlythereof, coulings swiveled to said trunnions for rotation thereon, clampmeans to lock the couplings in selected adjusted positions, a first pairof bars longitudinally adjustably mounted within the couplings, clampmeans for locking said bars in selected longitudinally adjustedpositions within said couplings, second couplings secured to the ends ofsaid bars remote from the trunnions, a sec ond pair of barslongitudinally adjustably mounted within said second couplings andextending substantially at right angles to the first pair of bars, clampmeans to lock the second pair of bars in selected longitudinallyadjusted positions within the second couplings, a pair of limbsupporting plates for the second pair of bars, and means carrying saidsupporting plates and adjustably clampingly secured to the second pairof bars, whereby the supporting plates are adjustable longitudinally andcircumferentially of the second pair of bars and lockable in selectedadjusted positions.

4. A limb supporting attachment comprising an adjustable clamp formounting the attachment upon a support, a pair of generally L-shapedlimb supporting units adjustably secured to the ends of said clamp andswingable in generally vertical planes, means for locking said units inselected angularly adjusted positions, a limb supporting plateadjustably mounted upon each L-shaped unit, each limb supporting platehaving socket means formed thereon, a traction attachment associatedwith one of said supporting plates and including a shaft extensionsecured within said socket means, the traction attachment beingengageable with a limb of the patient and operable to apply traction tothe limb, and a brace connected with said clamp and including anupstanding part serving as a stop and engageable with the body of thepatient to resist movement of the body when traction is applied to thelimb.

5. A limb supporting attachment for operating tables in accordance withclaim 4, wherein said brace comprises a horizontal frame detachablysecured to said clamp and arranged close to said support, a slotted linkadjustably secured to said frame and being horizontal and shiftablelongitudinally, and an upstanding abutment element carried by said linkfor engagement with the crotch of the patient.

6. A limb supporting attachment comprising a mounting clamp for theattachment adapted to grip the top of a table-like support and beinghorizontal in use, a trunnion secured to one end of the clamp andprojecting horizontally outwardly thereof, a coupling including splitsleeves clampingly secured to said trunnion, a first bar adjustably heldin one split sleeve of said coupling and turnable with the couplingabout the horizontal axis of the trunnion, a second coupling includingsplit sleeves secured to the end of the first bar remote from thetrunnion, a second bar adjustably mounted within one split sleeve of thesecond coupling and extending transversely of the first bar, a limbsupporting plate associated with the second bar, means pivotallysupporting the limb supporting plate and adjustably clampingly securingthe same to the second bar so that the limb supporting plate may beadjusted longitudinally and circumferentially of the second bar and mayextend longitudinally thereof or at an angle thereto, socket formingmeans carried by said plate, an extension plate, an element pivotallyconnected with the extension plate and having an extension engagingwithin the socket forming means of the limb supporting plate and clampedtherein, said extension plate adapted to be positioned longitudinally ofthe limb supporting plate or at a desired angle thereto for supporting alimb in an extended or flexed position longitudinally or transverselyand at a desired elevation, and means to lock the extension plate inselected adjusted positions relative to the limb supporting plate.

7. A limb supporting attachment comprising extensible clamping meansengageable with a table-like support for mounting the attachmentthereon, a substantially L-shaped limb supporting unit adjustablyclampingly secured to said clamping means and extending above theclamping means and being vertically swingable upon the clamping meansand adapted to be clamped in selected angularly adjusted positions, alimb supporting plate adjustably clampingly secured to said L-shapedunit and adapted to support a limb of the patient at a desired elevationand angle above said support, a shaft detachably rigidly secured to saidlimb supporting plate and extending longitudinally beyond one endthereof, an upstanding bracket slidably engaging said shaft, a yokeconnected with said bracket and slidably engaging said shaft and havinga screw-threaded part, a traction screw having screw-threaded engagementwith said screw-threaded part of the yoke and engaging the end of saidshaft and operable to shift the yoke and bracket longitudinally of saidshaft, means to lock said bracket in selected longitudinally adjustedpositions along said shaft, and adjustable foot supporting means carriedby said bracket.

8. A limb supporting attachment for operating tables comprisingadjustable clamp means for mounting the attachment upon the top of theoperating table, a vertically swingable unit including a horizontal barclampingly pivotally secured to said clamp means and adapted to belocked in selected adjusted positions, a limb supporting plateadjustably clampingly secured to said bar, socket means carried by saidplate, a shaft detachably secured within said socket means, anupstanding bracket movably mounted upon said shaft, means for lockingsaid bracket in selected longitudinally adjusted positions along saidshaft, screw-threaded means connected with said bracket and shaft forshifting the bracket bodily lengthwise of the shaft, a second shaftcarried by said bracket and spaced from the first-named shaft and beinglongitudinally adjustable and having a screw-threaded part, means forlocking the second-named shaft in the selected longitudinally adjustedposition upon said bracket, a nut carried by said screw-threaded part ofthe second-named shaft for adjusting the second-named shaftlongitudinally, and a foot supporting plate mounted upon the secondnamedshaft and secured thereto and adapted to support a foot of the patientupon the operating table, said supporting plate adapted to support thepatients leg inwardly of his foot.

9. Limb supporting means for operating tables comprising an extensibleclamp for engagement with the top of the operating table, a trunnioncarried by one end of said clamp, 21 first coupling adjustablyclampingly secured to said trunnion and being rotatable thereon andadapted to be clamped in th selected adjusted position, a first barlongitudinally and rotatably held within the first coupling, means toclampingly secure the first bar in the selected adjusted position withinthe first coupling, a second coupling carried by one end of the firstbar, a second bar extending substantially at right angles to the firstbar and engaging within the second coupling and being longitudinallymovable and turnable therein, means for clamping the second bar in theselected adjusted position within the second coupling, a main limbsupporting plate associated with the second bar, adjustable clampingmeans interconmeeting the second bar and main supporting plate andpermitting the main supporting plate to extend longitudinally of ortransversely of the second bar and to turn upon the longitudinal axis ofthe second bar and operable to lock the main supporting plate in aselected adjusted position, socket means carried by the main supportingplate at one end thereof, an auxiliary limb supporting plate, a hingeelement pivotally connected with the auxiliary limb supporting plate, anextension element secured to said hinge element and engageable withinthe socket means of the main limb supporting plate, means for detachablysecuring the extension element within the socket forming means, andscrew-threaded means for clampingly securing the auxiliary supportingplate to said hinge element in selected angularly adjusted positions.

10. Limb supporting means for operating tables in accordance with claim9, and socket means carried by the auxiliary limb supporting plate nearone end thereof to facilitate attaching thereto a second main limbsupporting plate extending longitudinally of the auxiliary limbsupporting plate at its end remote from the first-named main limbsupporting plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,424,587 Perry Aug. 1, 1922 2,057,992 Wiruth Oct. 20, 1936 2,119,325Goodhart May 31, 1938 2,465,781 Banta Mar. 29, 1949 2,614,558 LovellOct. 21, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 193,523 Germany Dec. 19, 1907 723,420France Jan. 18, 1932 764,071 Germany May 3, 1954

